Elk Foundation efforts misrepresented

A recent editorial, appropriately printed on April Fool’s Day, inaccurately referred to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as an organization that works against hunters. 

The foundation’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. The legislative process has been referred to as “sausage making,” and for good reason. As bills move through the various committees, changes are made — and not always for the better. That’s the nature of the legislative process. Our job is to work through this often-messy process and ensure that hunters’ interests are protected in the final bill. This mission takes us to every corner of the United States. The legislative efforts of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to protect hunters, wildlife and conservation have us working with the Congress, White House and state legislatures across the country, including in Helena.  

In the current session underway in Helena, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is tracking 65 bills that include 33 specific to elk, deer or wildlife, along with others dealing with conservation funding, forestry and gaming. Unfortunately, Mr. Sterling chose to misrepresent the foundation’s position on two, House Bill 283 and Senate Bill 270. Whether intentional or not, we welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.